Burning Rangers - playable in Japanese?

[Geoff D]

I've been told I should be getting this game - is the Jpn version playable? Or text heavy?

Cheers peeps

[Treble]

There is a codec-style help system that works in real time. Pressing R (iirc) has your command centre speak to you, giving you hints as to where to go next.

It's quite helpful, but not particulary vital. The game will be a bit harder without it, but far from unplayable. Other than that, everything else is pretty straight-forward, in a typical Sonic Team stylee.

[Treble]

Oh, and although I have the Jpn version, I haven't played it yet >_<
I had the PAL version but sold it recently. I can put it on and look to see what problems (if any) are caused by having Japanese text, if no-one else posts with the answer.

[Geoff D]

Cheers Mr Treb - further impressions will be mucho welcomed

[kenseiden]

I found the jap version very text heavy.. and i stopped playing it... go for a US version.. but mind you mine came with a cool mini cd with tracks from the game >>>

[Treble]

Really? Well, you missed some story about them being a tight unit and putting out some fires, but that's it.

The email replies you get from the people you save are all pretty much the same ('Thankyou, Burning Ranger! I like your team and my pet dog sends his love!') and it really is just rescuing people and beating the crazed robots that got their AI fried.

As for the mission objectives, they might be a problem, but nothing you couldn't get off Gamefaqs, I suspect. Avoid PAL as it's the most expensive; get US if your machine can run that region, but get the game no matter what, as it's excellent.

[Treble]

Did you want game impressions? Basically, you are sent in to various places to prevent that place (sorry, don't want to give spoilers - the locations are a major part of the fun ^^ ) from being destroyed and losing human lives.

You have a pressurised water cannon that can be charged up or fired rapidly, and a boost pack that enables you to access higher areas and evade explosions.

A gauge shows you the temperature in the room, and you must fight the fires to bring this temp down. Area that are about to explode glow in real-time, going yellow-orange-red as they get closer to conflagration. Small fires must be taken out rapidly, using fast dispersal of your cannon, whilst huge fires and explosions must be fought with charged blasts.

You must also battle the automatons whose AI has been damaged, and these require some canny evasion as well as good deployment of your charged gun. Some of the bosses have absolutely brilliant designs, but I won't spoil them for you ^^

There is an overall time limit, in which you have to prevent the place from being destroyed, and getting to different parts of the map quickly is paramount. The game randomly generates where these explosions will occur, and also the route through the level changes with each play, with certain paths and sections only open after completion.

The graphics are dated, but some are still very gorgeous. The real time lighting is using to great effect, and is far more than just a gimmick. Control over your Ranger is great - kind of like a simplified version of Gun Valkyrie's method, but a lot, lot easier to use (I've made the case that BR was an inspiration for GV many and many a time).

Overall, a great, fast, very replayable game. It has a lot of glitching where the SS is pushed to (and sometimes past) its limits, but when it succeeds, it really is something unique.

[Andy_T]

great use of sound in this game, unfortunately i reckon the experience would be ruined if you don't understand Japanese. you're given vocal instructions such as 'go to the room on the right' - would be really confusing i reckon. it's one of my favourite Saturn titles, try and track down a PAL copy mate.

[Geoff D]

Hmmmm - I can't stand using a guide when playing games; looks like I'll have to try & find a PAL copy for a reasonable price; if such a thing exists.

Cheers fellas

[Treble]

Hmmm...I'd forgotten it was that specific. Yeah, get an English-language one, but make sure you get it!

[Concept]

Is it a Saturn essential, though a la PDS, NiGHTS?

If so, then I'm gonna have to pick myself up Burning Rangers too.

[Treble]

As a game to have in your collection, it's quite important. As part of a Saturn collection, it's absolutely essential. If you are at all interested in Sonic Team's stuff, it is an absolute must. Fantastic game, imo.

[Andy_T]

definitely, i played it as much as nights - loads of replay value in it.

[Geoff D]

As a guide, how much would I be looking to pay for a PAL version?

[Treble]

Average price is about ?30-?35.